Re: What's next?

Posted By Wayne on January 15, 1999 at 10:00:18:

In Reply to: Re: What's next? posted by HFHSM.D.-rf on January 09, 1999 at 15:58:09:






To recap, two LFT's gave the following elevated results:
                9/15/98    11/18/98
Total bilirubin 2.0        2.2
SGOT (AST)      47         36 (now in "normal" range)
SGPT (ALT)      142        74
GGT             333        191
Cholesterol     292        231
Hepatitis B and C tests (done on the 9/15/98 bloodwork, only)
were both negative.
After 11/18/98 LFT results, doctor scheduled an Ultrasound to see
if gallbladder stones were present. It was done around 12/1/98.
The Ultrasound showed everything (on my right side) to be okay.
Doctor said to abstain from alcohol completely (I seldom drink
anyway, although I had been a few days before the first LFT),
watch my fat intake, and have another LFT done second week of
January. Does this sound like a proper course of action to you,
or would you suggest some other actions.
By the way, I am entirely asymptomatic, and have lost 20 lbs.
(from 205 to 185 -- I'm 5'9", 44y.o. male) since 11/15/98 thru
better eating habits and regular exercise (treadmill).
Thanks for the help.
Wayne
_____
Dear Wayne,
If the elevated liver tests are the result of alcohol use,, then the liver tests should normalize with abstention.  If liver tests remain elevated or if you want a definitivwe answer immediately, a liver biopsy should be performed.
This information is presented for educational purposes only.  Ask specific questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: liver tests, alcohol
0.1
As expected, diet and exercise resulted in a great improvement in ALMOST
every test. Results from 1/13/99 bloodwork:
Total bilirubin         2.3   (up from 2.0 and 2.2)
AST                     24    (down from 47 and 36)
ALT                     40    (down from 142 and 74)
GGT                     59    (down from 333 and 191)
Total cholesterol       155   (down from 292 and 231)
HDL                     40    (up from 38)
Cholesterol/HDL ration  3.9   (down from 7.68)
Triglycerides           79    (down from 273)
Its amazing what proper diet and excercise can do in two months.
Everything is in the "normal" range except the total bilirubin. My doctor
does not think I need to do anything more. Should I be concerned about the
high bilirubin, or forget about it since everything else is normal, and I
am asymtomatic?
Thanks for your help. It has been very re-assuring.
Regards,
Wayne